WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush called for Israel to exercise restraint and respect for "innocent life" in Gaza Strip on Wednesday but stopped short of condemning the Jewish state for firing on Palestinian protesters.

Secretary of State Colin Powell said later that Israel's deadly operation in Gaza made the peace process with the Palestinians more difficult, in the harshest U.S. rebuke to date for the raid.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan called it a "tragic event," but said Bush was awaiting a full explanation from Israel on why its tanks and helicopters opened fire, killing 10 Palestinians and raising the two-day death toll to 33 in Israel's bloodiest raid in Gaza in years.

"I continue to urge restraint. It is essential that people respect innocent life in order for us to achieve peace," Bush told reporters after meeting with members of his Cabinet.

"We'll get clarification from the government. ... But I will continue to speak out about the need for all parties to respect innocent life in the Middle East," Bush said.​

I guess my mind is a steel trap for small historical details... does anyone else recall when Israel first moved troops into Gaza and the West Bank in 2001, and Bush insisted that Sharon withdraw? Of course Sharon did not withdraw -- and Bush never mentioned it again.

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